ISRO sends 104 satellites in one go, breaks Russia's record

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Updated: Feb 15, 2017, 12.01 PM IST

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PSLV-C37 carrying 104 satellites lifts off from Sriharikota

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scripted history today by successfully launching a record 104 satellites, including India's earth observation satellite, on a single rocket from the spaceport in Sriharikota. This is the highest number of satellites ever launched in a single mission.

The space agency's trusted workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C37, on its 39th mission, took off in the morning, at 9.28 am, today, from Sriharikota space centre with the 104 satellites, of which 101 belongs to international customers.

The first to be let off was India's high resolution Cartosat-2 series satellite made especially to monitor activities of India's hostile neighbours at a resolution of less than a metre keeping a bird's eye view on both Pakistan and China.

As the scientists at the Mission Control centre broke into cheers, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar announced: "All 104 satellites successfully placed in orbit. My hearty congratulations to the entire ISRO team for the wonderful job they have done."

"This is a significant step for India. This entire launch will last for 28 minutes...It is a four stage mission. The first satellite will go in the 17
th minute followed soon by two nano satellites by India. Later 96 satellites will be placed in their orbits," said Ajay Lele of ISRO.

The two Indian nano-satellites are ISRO's INS-1A and INS-1B. INS-1A and INS-1B which carry a total of four different payloads from Space Applications Centre (SAC) and Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (LEOS) of ISRO for conducting various experiments.

The launch was closely watched by ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar and other top scientists from the mission control centre at Sriharikota.

The countdown for the launch of PSLV-C37/Cartosat2 Series satellite mission began at 5:28 AM yesterday soon after the Mission Readiness Review committee and Launch Authorisation Board gave its approval for lift off, after which scientists commenced filling of the propellant for the rocket, ISRO said.

What is significant about the launch is the number of satellites carried by a rocket. Compared to successful launch by the Russian Space Agency launching 37 satellites in one go, India became the first country to script history by launching 104 satellites in a single rocket.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated Team ISRO for the successful launch.

Congratulations to @isro for the successful launch of PSLV-C37 and CARTOSAT satellite together with 103 nano satellites!

It was a significant achievement for ISRO as last time it had launched 23 satellites in one go in June 2015.

PSLV first launched the 714 kg CARTOSAT-2 Series satellite for earth observation, followed by 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg at lift-off into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit, about 520 km from Earth.

ISRO scientists have used the XL Variant -- the most powerful rocket -- earlier used in the ambitious Chandrayaan and during the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).

Ball of fire

Here are some fun facts

15 Feb, 2017

Of the 104 satellites ISRO launched, three are Indian and 101 are foreign and smaller satellites.

Nano satellites

15 Feb, 2017

The space agency used the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for the launch. It carried a 714 kilogram main satellite for earth observation and 103 smaller "nano satellites" which weighed a combined 664 kilograms.

Taking foreign objects

15 Feb, 2017

Most of the nano satellites are from other countries, including from Israel, Kazakhstan, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the US, said the state-run ISRO.

Most affordable satellite

15 Feb, 2017

The famously frugal ISRO hopes to set an enviable benchmark for the space fairing nations. In fact, in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi quipped that an Indian rocket that launched four foreign satellites into orbit cost less to make than the Hollywood film "Gravity".

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Of 101 co-passenger satellites, 96 belong to USA, five from International customers of ISRO -- Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, respectively.

Two other Indian nano satellites, totally weighing about 1,378 kg, will also ride piggyback in the rocket

The nano-satellites belonging to international customers are being launched as part of the arrangement by Antrix Corporation Ltd (ANTRIX) the commercial arm of the ISRO.

Congratulations to ISRO on the successful launch of PSLV – C37, carrying a record 104 satellites #PresidentMukherjee

Cartosat-2 Series, which is the primary satellite, will be similar to the earlier four satellites in Cartosat-2 Series.

After coming into operation, it will provide remote sensing services.Images sent by it will be useful for coastal land use and regulation, road network monitoring, distribution of water and creation of land use maps, among others.

Cartosat-2 Series has a mission life of five years.

The two Indian Nano-satellites INS-1A and INS-1B were developed as co-passenger satellites to accompany bigger satellites on PSLV.

The primary objective of INS (ISRO Nano Satellite) is to provide an opportunity for ISRO technology demonstration payloads, provide a standard bus for launch on demand services.